Results 7,401-7,420 of 7,604 for speaker:James Bannon

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Feb 2003)

James Bannon: I agree with my colleagues, Senators O'Toole and Ryan, with regard to having a free vote on the Local Government Bill tomorrow. (Interruptions).

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Feb 2003)

James Bannon: It is important that every Member be allowed to vote according to his or her conscience.

Seanad: Order of Business. (25 Feb 2003)

James Bannon: On another issue, a serious dispute in the Valuation Office is costing local authorities millions of euro. Many industrial and retail businesses have not been paying rates since the dispute started 18 months ago. It is essential for the coffers of local government that the dispute be settled. Will the Leader ask the Minister for the Environment and Local Government to intervene?

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

James Bannon: I support my colleague, Senator Ryan. A strong element of independence is needed. This is a good amendment.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 3:

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

James Bannon: If possible, I would like to discuss them separately.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 4: In page 13, line 12, to delete "costs and". Costs should not be a factor when determining improvements in the quality of the environment. Several references place undue emphasis on the question of cost and should be deleted. I should like to hear the Minister's views.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

James Bannon: No, but I agree with the sentiments expressed by Senator Dardis. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Amendment No. 5 not moved. Section 7 agreed to. SECTION 8.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 8: In page 15, paragraph (a), line 15, to delete "€3,000" and substitute "€5,000".

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 9: In page 15, paragraph (b), line 16, to delete "€13,000,000" and substitute "€15,000,000". Amendment agreed to.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 10: In page 15, paragraph (c), line 18, to delete "€600" and substitute "€1,000". Amendment agreed to. Section 10, as amended, agreed to. Section 11 agreed to. SECTION 12.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 11: In page 17, line 38, to delete "2007" and substitute "2005". I propose to bring the date back to 2005 because there is plenty of time to deal with this. Line 6, page 16, refers to activities commencing on or after 30 October 1999, so we are halfway through and there are no benefits in extending the time to 2007.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 13: In page 20, line 15, to delete "such" and substitute "toxic and environmentally dangerous".

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

James Bannon: They are listed in the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act and should be listed here.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 14: In page 20, lines 38 to 40, to delete "or, where that is not practicable, generally to reduce". This amendment will remove waffle from the Bill. The sentence in question is longer than necessary.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 15: In page 23, lines 36 and 37, to delete "neither that person nor any other relevant person" and substitute "that person". There is nothing to explain who the relevant person in question might be. The Bill should be clearer about this. It states the person is fit and proper if "neither that person nor any other relevant person has been convicted of an offence under this...

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

James Bannon: I move amendment No. 16: In page 32, line 35, after "area", to insert "or neighbouring counties with jurisdiction". A person can be on the border of a county which the functional area should recognise. The Bill states "a planning authority in whose functional area the activity is or will be". As a problem could arise in a neighbouring county, it is important that the affected local authority...

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

James Bannon: An activity or development might affect several acres over two counties. Under the Bill, an applicant would only have to notify one planning authority whereas my amendment would require notification to authorities in the relevant area. A development may cross county boundaries.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

James Bannon: There is a grey area in that regard. A person might get away with notifying only one of the local authorities concerned. Requiring the person to notify the two authorities closes a loophole in the Bill.

Seanad: Protection of the Environment Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Feb 2003)

James Bannon: Does the applicant apply to the local planning authority, which, in turn, notifies the EPA?